As some challenge Mass. governor, political women challenge back

Published: Saturday, May 12, 2001

ROBERT O'NEILLAssociated Press Writer

BOSTON {AP}  Women of all political stripes are bothered by criticism of Acting Gov. Jane Swift that she shouldn't be conducting her official duties from a hospital bed while awaiting the birth of twins.

At a fund-raiser for a women's mentoring fund on Friday, women denounced objections to Swift's in-hospital governing.

"I'm on conference calls every day, hours at a time," said Martha Welsh, co-chairwoman of the Polly Logan Fund, which organized the event. "To think that you have to be there physically is old fashioned and anachronistic."

Swift faces a challenge from some Democrats who say she may not have the authority to run the state from her hospital bed. The Governor's Council voted 5-3 Wednesday to ask the state Supreme Judicial Court if it is constitutional for Swift to conduct official meetings by telephone.

The dispute has touched a nerve among many women, who believe Swift is getting a raw deal.

"It's all very silly," said Jean Inman, former state Republican Party chair.

And the feeling isn't limited to Republicans.

Jennifer Raymond, a graduate student at the University of Massachusetts-Boston who described herself as a left-leaning Democrat, said criticizing a woman of any party for trying to obtain a more flexible work environment is "out of line."

Swift took office April 10 following the resignation of Gov. Paul Cellucci to become ambassador to Canada.

She says she has no plans to relinquish authority to Democratic Secretary of State William Galvin, who is next in the line of succession. She planned to continue to govern from her hospital bed until she gives birth, which her doctor has said will be in the next week or two.

She talked to her staff by telephone Friday, reviewed paperwork and signed thank-you notes to legislators who supported her positions on education funding and election reform, spokeswoman Shawn Feddeman said.

At the Friday fund-raiser, the crowd was hoping to hear from Swift, but had to settle instead for her chief of staff, Peter Forman.

"Our technology people could not get the speakerphone set up," said moderator Marjorie Arons-Barron.